Become Pain Free, Pain, Back Pain, Spine Pain, Spine Surgery, Chronic Painhttps://becomepainfree.wordpress.com
The Blog of www.becomepainfree.com a National Pain PublicationMon, 13 May 2013 14:55:42 +0000en
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1 http://wordpress.com/https://s0.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngBecome Pain Free, Pain, Back Pain, Spine Pain, Spine Surgery, Chronic Painhttps://becomepainfree.wordpress.com
The 5 things you should know about chronic pain from BecomePainFree.comhttps://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/the-5-things-you-should-know-about-chronic-pain-from-becomepainfree-com/
https://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/the-5-things-you-should-know-about-chronic-pain-from-becomepainfree-com/#respondMon, 13 May 2013 14:55:42 +0000http://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/?p=695Only sufferers of chronic pain know the implications of pain in every aspect of life. Family members and friends of someone with chronic pain may sympathize to some extent, but it’s difficult to truly understand how chronic pain affects someone. If you have a friend or family member suffering from chronic pain — whether caused by an accident or injury, or another health condition such asfibromyalgia — use these tips to understanding chronic pain to help you be most supportive to your loved one.

1.Don’t pass chronic pain off as “all in your head.”People who suffer from chronic pain are rarely fabricating or exaggerating their symptoms. Conditions causing chronic pain can make an individual truly miserable. Many cases of chronic pain are difficult to diagnose, and thus management and treatment is far more challenging than in cases of acute pain, where the source of pain is easily diagnosed.

2.Chronic pain is different from acute pain. Acute pain lasts for a brief period of time, perhaps following an injury or accident. Chronic pain, on the other hand, is persistent and can even be permanent. We have all felt acute pain at some point in time, but only those with chronic pain know what it is to be in pain constantly.

3.Chronic pain may be caused by or the cause of other health conditions. Difficulty sleeping and depression are two conditions that often plague sufferers of chronic pain. Chronic pain can create a vicious cycle for the sufferer, for example: chronic pain leads to sleep disturbances, whereas lack of sleep can exacerbate chronic pain. The same is true of depression; it can be caused by or the cause of some chronic pain symptoms.

4.Every person’s pain is different.We all experience and express pain differently. Some people may be more tolerant of pain in specific parts of the body, while other people may express discomfort with pain in the same area or caused by the same condition.

5.Chronic pain is emotionally exhausting. Imagine that you are in pain or don’t feel good for months or years on end, with no relief. Constant pain wears on the emotions and can lead to depression and anger. Treatment for chronic pain often means treating each symptom and effect of that pain, including mental health issues such as depression.

Chronic pain is a lonely condition. If someone you know or love is suffering from chronic pain, don’t try to compare their pain to your own experiences, or assume their pain is all made up. Rather, offer your care and support. Be willing to listen when they need to talk and supportive throughout treatment programs.

]]>https://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/the-5-things-you-should-know-about-chronic-pain-from-becomepainfree-com/feed/0becomepainfreeLaser Spine Surgery, Laser Spine ProcedureYou May Get relief from chronic pain by walkinghttps://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/you-may-get-relief-from-chronic-pain-by-walking/
https://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/you-may-get-relief-from-chronic-pain-by-walking/#respondMon, 13 May 2013 14:47:32 +0000http://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/?p=692If you are suffering from chronic pain from fibromyalgia or another medical condition, you know the frustration that comes with the attempts to control pain. While medication and therapies are a key factor in pain management, exercise can also work to relieve pain and improve quality of life. Inactivity can lead to more pain – the more you move, the less you will feel your pain.

If you are suffering from chronic pain, begin introducing regular walking workouts into your daily routine. Walking is the most basic form of aerobic exercise. There are several benefits of aerobic exercise, including: building stamina, boosting energy and reducing stiffness and pain. Specific health benefits of walking for exercise include:

Research has shown that low-impact aerobic exercise is most effective for improving chronic pain symptoms. It provides a means of relaxation for both the body and mind. Exercise in short intervals has been shown to be most successful in relieving chronic pain. For example, rather than going for one 30-minute walk each day, take three short, 10-minute walks instead.

In a study of 52 sedentary patients with chronic lower back pain, Dr. Michal Katz-Leurer and colleague Ilana Shnayderman found that a simple daily walking routine can improve chronic lower back pain symptoms. Katz-Leurer, from Tel Aviv University’s Stanley Steyer School of Health Professions at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, and Shnayderman, a graduate student at the Department of Physical Therapy and a practicing physiotherapist at Maccabi Health Care, published their findings in the journal Clinical Rehabilitation.

If you suffer from chronic pain, make a point to exercise daily. By exercising, you will help prevent muscle atrophy and decrease joint pain. Start with a simple 30-minutes of exercise each day, gradually increasing if you are able.

]]>https://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/you-may-get-relief-from-chronic-pain-by-walking/feed/0becomepainfreeLaser-Spine-Surgery1-300x243 (1)Laser Spine Surgery, Laser Spine ProcedureHow to Prevent Migraineshttps://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/how-to-prevent-migraines/
https://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/how-to-prevent-migraines/#respondMon, 13 May 2013 14:41:06 +0000http://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/?p=690Throbbing headache. Blurred vision. Sensitivity to light and sound. Nausea. Sound familiar? At least 16 to 17 percent of the world’s population will experience a migraine at some point in their lives, but for many, migraines are a part of daily life.

A migraine can be simply debilitating, when all you can think about is getting to a dark, quiet place to lie down and rest. Migraines can mean missing work or school, and even missing out on important, they-only-happen-once, life events.

There are some medications that can reduce the number and severity of migraines, but lifestyle changes are also strongly recommended to help prevent and/or alleviate the pain associated with migraines. If you suffer from migraines, try these migraine prevention tips.

Reduce estrogen levels. For some women, estrogen can induce migraine headaches or make them work. If this is the case for you, avoid medications such as birth control and other hormone pills that contain estrogen.

If you suffer from chronic migraines, talk with your doctor about pain management and lifestyle changes that may help reduce your headache main.

Prescription drug abuse is the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, or for the experience or feelings elicited. (www.drugabuse.gov) Many patients are hesitant to take opioid medications and many healthcare providers are hesitant to prescribe them, for fear of the patient becoming addicted. In order to reduce the risk of a patient becoming addicted to painkillers, doctors should screen patients for risk factors of addiction, including family history of drug abuse, abuse, neglect, past trauma or mental illness. Physicians should also monitor patients for signs of painkiller abuse and addiction.

If your doctor has prescribed painkillers to treat your chronic pain, take steps to ensure you are using the medication appropriately. Always follow the directions for use on the label of the medication, be aware of potential interactions with other drugs you may be taking, and never stop taking or change the dosage of a prescription painkiller without the direction of your physician.

Before you begin taking any medications, inform your doctor of any prescription, over-the-counter medicines, or dietary and herbal supplements you are currently taking.

]]>https://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/painkiller-abuse-and-addiction/feed/0becomepainfreeRitalinLaser Spine Surgery, Laser Spine ProcedureHerniated Disk in the Lower Backhttps://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/herniated-disk-in-the-lower-back/
https://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/herniated-disk-in-the-lower-back/#respondMon, 18 Mar 2013 15:53:53 +0000http://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/?p=683Sometimes called a slipped or ruptured disk, a herniated disk most often occurs in your lower back. It is one of the most common causes of low back pain, as well as leg pain (sciatica).

Between 60% and 80% of people will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. A high percentage of people will have low back and leg pain caused by a herniated disk.

Although a herniated disk can sometimes be very painful, most people feel much better with just a few weeks or months of nonsurgical treatment.

Anatomy

Your spine is made up of 24 bones, called vertebrae, that are stacked on top of one another. These bones connect to create a canal that protects the spinal cord.

Five vertebrae make up the lower back. This area is called your lumbar spine.

Parts of the lumbar spine.

Other parts of your spine include:

Spinal cord and nerves. These “electrical cables” travel through the spinal canal carrying messages between your brain and muscles.

Intervertebral disks. In between your vertebrae are flexible intervertebral disks. They act as shock absorbers when your walk or run.

Intervertebral disks are flat and round, and about a half inch thick. They are made up of two components:

]]>https://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/herniated-disk-in-the-lower-back/feed/0becomepainfreeLaser Spine Surgery, Laser Spine ProcedureLIVING WITH BACK PAINhttps://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/living-with-back-pain/
https://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/living-with-back-pain/#respondMon, 18 Mar 2013 15:45:37 +0000http://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/?p=680In most instances, individuals with low back pain will improve over a two- to six-week period. The goal is to minimize recurrences and, while being in good physical condition does not prevent all back pain episodes, it will make the resolution of those episodes easier. If you smoke, stop. Smoking is a predisposing factor for back pain. If you are overweight, get into shape. Obesity does not cause back pain, but it does make it harder to heal. (No particular diet is known to prevent episodes of low back pain.) Bottom line, pay attention to your body and exercise, eat right and maintain a healthy life style.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Low back pain is a common problem and rarely associated with a severe illness.

The vast majority of individuals heal back pain by remaining active and taking pain-relieving drugs.

About 50 percent of individuals are healed in a week or two; over 90 percent are resolved in eight weeks.

]]>https://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/living-with-back-pain/feed/0becomepainfreeLaser Spine Surgery, Laser Spine ProcedureWhat Is Back Pain? What Causes Back Pain?https://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/what-is-back-pain-what-causes-back-pain/
https://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/what-is-back-pain-what-causes-back-pain/#respondMon, 18 Mar 2013 15:38:19 +0000http://becomepainfree.wordpress.com/?p=677Back pain is a very common complaint. According to the Mayo Clinic, USA, approximately 80% of all Americans will have low back pain at least once in their lives. Back pain is a common reason for absence from work, or visiting the doctor’s.

According to the NHS (National Health Service), UK, back pain is the largest cause of work-related absence in the United Kingdom. Although back pain may be painful and uncomfortable, it is not usually serious.

Even though back pain can affect people of any age, it is significantly more common among adults aged between 35 and 55 years.

Experts say that back pain is associated with the way our bones, muscles and ligaments in our backs work together.

Free MRI or CT scan evaluation. Have you tried conservative therapies for your chronic back pain, and wonder if a medical procedure is the next best step? Allow our staff to evaluate your medical case. Our physicians will provide the most conservative recommendation deemed appropriate for your special case.

Free medical referral service. If you choose, your assigned patient coordinator will handle the logistics for any medical procedure recommended by one of our physicians.

Board-certified physicians. Our Dallas-based specialists collectively provide expertise in neurosurgery and interventional pain management, and provide a range of procedures, from epidural steroid injections to spinal fusion. They are unique providers of the BecomePainFree.com procedure.

Free back pain seminar.BecomePainFree.com’s Dallas office provides regular educational seminars so chronic pain sufferers can learn about the BecomePainFree.com procedure and talk directly to someone who can answer all of their questions.

Located in the center of the United States, the Dallas laser spine center also provides a convenient option for chronic back pain sufferers across the country – just a short plane-ride away. BecomePainFree.com’s Dallas office has partnered with the Hyatt Place, for traveling patients.

The BecomePainFree.com headquarters is also in Dallas TX. So when you visit, make sure to say hello to the patient coordinator and insurance teams, who strive to help patients like you find a solution for their pain.

About us:BecomePainFree.com provides patient advocacy for spine pain sufferers. Patient care may be described as a table with patients on one side looking for a solution, and physicians on the other side providing a service; since BecomePainFree.com does not practice medicine, it is uniquely positioned on the patient’s side of the table, providing a compass to navigate the often confusing world of spine surgery and interventional pain management.